Commenting on the sale, Australia Minister for Defence Marise Payne said: “Australia greatly values our longstanding and broad bilateral defence relationship with Canada, and this decision is another example of our close and strong partnership.

“The aircraft will supplement Canada’s existing fleet as it develops and implements its plan to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fighter jet fleet.”

The first two Hornets will be delivered to Canada in 2019, while the first two Joint Strike Fighters are expected to arrive in Australia by the end of 2018.

Canada originally planned to purchase new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft from Boeing.

The deal was, however, cancelled due to a trade dispute between Boeing and Canadian company Bombardier.

The Canadian Government plans to purchase 88 advanced fighter aircraft to permanently replace the RCAF’s CF-188 Hornet fighter fleet.